Whom To Watch In 2006

Known for his humility and principled, conservative leadership, this Panama City construction contractor is a proven builder of bridges between Republicans and Democrats.

Bense is a loyal supporter of Gov. Jeb Bush who will continue shepherding most of the governor's priorities through the Florida House, pushing hardest this session for more tax cuts and proposals that protect businesses against lawsuits and large jury awards. Bense, who toyed with running for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate, seems to be reaching the end of his political career, barring an unexpected run for Congress.

Speaker-designate Marco Rubio

Set to become the first Cuban-American leader of the 120-member Florida House next year, Rubio, of Miami, enters the 2006 session capable of delivering a bounty of goodies for South Florida. Most likely, Rubio will operate as a behind-the-scenes adviser to Bense, especially on matters involving Broward and Miami-Dade counties. His goal: keep his name out of the session's biggest controversies so that he enters his tenure as speaker with broad support.

Rubio, a staunch conservative, says he's frustrated by the control that ``special interests'' have on the legislative process, and he promises to change the culture of Tallahassee. But besides urging House members to submit ideas on making Florida better, he's yet to propose any radical reform.

Rep. Dan Gelber

In line to replace Fort Lauderdale's Chris Smith as the next leader of the out-of-power House Democratic caucus, Gelber must prove to labor unions and liberal groups who favor Democrats that the minority party can make a difference even when drastically outnumbered in the Legislature.

Gelber, a private attorney from Miami Beach with a great wit and political savvy, will be the lead House Democratic debater on session issues. He will guide Democrats by focusing on pro-consumer stances and pitch topics that matter to voters in South Florida, such as hurricane preparedness, school funding and social needs.

Senate President Tom Lee

A moderate from Brandon, Lee is a hands-on manager working to keep peace among fellow Republicans warring over who will become Senate president in 2008. Last year he alienated many lobbyists by leading the drive to have them report their earnings. His push to ban legislators from taking lobbyist gifts didn't win too many friends either. A candidate for the state Cabinet post of chief financial officer, he now wants to crack down on the anonymous attack ads that spring up in the final days of elections.

Often at odds with the more conservative House and Bush, Lee is sounding a more conciliatory note. He backs several of Bush's final-year priorities and pledges to give a fair hearing to issues important to the House speaker. While a friend of business, he may balk at the $1.5 billion that the governor and House leaders want to give back to taxpayers.

Senate Rules Chairman Ken Pruitt

Slated to take over as Senate president after the November election, the Port St. Lucie Republican will be raising money to elect Republicans to the Senate this fall and carrying some of the bills that Bush wants passed to seal his education reform legacy.

Although a shrewd politician, he is reverting to the more conservative bent that was his hallmark while serving in the state House. That could put him more at odds with moderate colleagues and Democrats. A key lieutenant of the Senate president, he is likely to remain loyal to Lee even as his own power is on the upswing.

Sen. Steve Geller

Poised to take over as Senate Democratic leader in November, Geller's main job this year is to raise money and elect more Democrats to the 40-member Senate, which is now ruled by a Republican majority. Geller was first elected in 1988 and is one of the longest serving members of the Legislature, having served in the House when the Democrats controlled both chambers. The glib senator hopes the political turmoil within the Republican caucus will splinter votes and kill some of the Senate leadership's priorities.

The Hallandale Beach attorney, who will replace Tampa's Les Miller as Democratic leader, is a vocal and high-profile member of the Senate who loves to wheel and deal. His focus now will be on making the Democrats look good.

Sens. Jeff Atwater and Alex Villalobos

The battle over the 2008 Senate presidency between Atwater of Palm Beach Gardens and Villalobos of Miami continues to simmer and has splintered the 26 Republicans into two camps. Villalobos, hoping to become the first Cuban-American leader of the Senate, had lined up the pledges from fellow Republicans to take the post. But many of them reneged on their promises in January and threw their support instead to Atwater. The formal designation is still a ways off, and the ongoing fight is taking a toll on the once-collegial Senate.